Pipe-wrench.



B. P. ADAMS.

PIPE WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR .12, 1913.

Patented May 5, 1914.

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BENJAMIN F. ADAIIIS, F STBATFORD, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 1?. G.FOXW'ORTH, OF STRATFORID, TEXAS.

PIPE-VTRENCH.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. ADAMS,citizen of the United States, residing at Stratford, in the county ofSherman and State of Texas, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Pipe-Wrenches, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to an improvement in pipe wrenches.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a pipe wrench whichmay be readily adjusted to pipes which vary in diameter and in which themovable jaw member will be resiliently held in contact with the work.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction which,while strong and durable, may be manufactured at a comparatively lowcost.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to thefollowing description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is aside elevation; Fig. 2 is a perspective view; Fig. 3 is a perspectiveview of the resilient member which engages with the pivoted jaw; andFig. 4 is a perspective view of the pivoted jaw.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawing by the samereference characters.

In the drawing, 10 designates the shank of a wrench which is formed witha curved extension 11, the inner face 12 of which is provided with aplurality of teeth 13. A jaw member 14 is pivotally supported on theshank. This jaw member consists of the curved work engaging face 15provided with a plurality of teeth 16, the teeth being'oppositelydisposed to those of the work engaging face 12 of the curved extensionwhich forms the other jaw member. The body portion 17 of the jaw 14: isprovided with the spaced parallel arms 18 which at their terminals areapertured, receiving a pivot pin 19 which passes through them and theshank 10.

A sleeve 20 is either formed integral with or secured to the shank 10.This sleeve is disposed below the pivot point of the jaw 14. A flatspring 21 is arranged on one face of the shank 10, said spring beingprovided at one of its terminals with a yoke 22 which embraces theshank. The spring 21 extends through the sleeve 20 being providedadjacent its free terminal with lugs 23 which Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed March 12, 1913.

Patented May 5, 1914.

Serial No. 753,818.

contact with the sleeve'to prevent the displacement of the spring. Theyoke 22 is preferably formed integral with the spring and comprises anextension 24 which embraces the shank, and a second extension 25 whichextends transversely of the shank, the extensions being securedtogether. The sleeve 20 is secured to the wrench after the spring hasbeen placed thereon, the side portions of the sleeve being either weldedto the wrench ora bolt may be passed through both of said side portionsand the shank. In this construction the sides of the yoke extend midwayacross the shank to permit of the formation of a bolt-hole thereinwithout weakening the same.

The yoke 22 of the spring is disposed to contact with the shank 10, thespring being moved longitudinally of the shank as the jaw is opened inorder that the jaws may accommodate work which varies in diameter. Inplacing the wrench on a pipe, the yoke of the spring is movedlongitudinally of the shank and the pivoted jaw member allowed to open.After the pipe has been grasped between the jaws, the spring is movedtoward the jaw, its terminal 26 contacting with the jaw and maintainingthe same in engagement with the pipe. It will be noted that the pressureof the pipe on the jaw will prevent the spring from movinglongitudinally of the shank, the spring preventing the jaws from fallingoff the work when the same is moved loosely on the work. It will benoted that normally the spring may slide freely on the shank but thatwhen the same is forced in contact with the jaw, the aw and spring willbe held against displacement. When a pipe or other piece of work isplaced between the jaws the body 14 will be moved against the tension ofthe spring and the spring will bow, slightly bending at the point wherethe same extends through the sleeve which is arranged on the shank, thelower portion of the spring and the yoke which is formed integraltherewith being brought into binding engagement with the sleeve and theshank, efiectually supporting the spring against slipping and the jawagainst movement except such as is permitted by the resiliency of thespring between the sleeve and the aw. Thus the pressure of the worksupports the spring against movement longitudinally of the shank.

When it is desired to release the jaw, the spring is drawn toward theterminal of the shank and the jaw permitted to open. Particularattention is called to the peculiar construction of the jaw member andthe manner in which the same is resiliently supported in contact withthe work. It will be seen that normally the spring will maintain thestraight edge 27 of the jaw member 1% in contact with the edge of theshank, and that when not in use the pivoted aw member will not swingloosely which is a decided advantage in handling the wrench.

It will also be noted that the entire construction is such as may beeasily and economically manufactured, and that the various parts may bereadily assembled.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1 A wrench comprising a shank provided with a jaw, a jaw pivotallymounted on the shank, said jaw being formed with spaced arms whichembrace the shank, the aw between the arms being formed with. a straightedge disposed to contact with the edge of the shank, a flat spring, ayoke formed integral with one terminal of the fiat spring, a guidecarried by the shank through which the spring extends, lugs arranged onthe terminal of said spring remote from the yoke, said spring contactingwith the pivoted jaw to maintain it in contactwith the work.

2. A wrench comprising a shank provided with a jaw, a aw pivotallymounted on the shank, a spring slidably mounted on the shank, meanscarried by the shank embracing the spring, one terminal of said springcontacting with the pivoted jaw, and the other embracing the shank.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. ADAMS. [L. s]

Witnesses O. G. REEDER, M. CAMMAOK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

